Minutes Town Council Property Committee - Monday 10th October 2011

Minutes Town Council Property Committee - Monday 10th October 2011

Monday, 05 December 2011 10:09

Minutes of a Meeting of the Okehampton Town Council Property Committee held on Monday 10 October 2011 in the Council Chamber,

Town Hall, Okehampton at 8.35 pm

Committee Members Present: Councillor A Leech (Chair)

Councillor P Vachon (Vice Chair)

Councillor T Cummings

Councillor Mrs M McDonald (Town Mayor)

Councillor D Weekes (Chair, Parks)

Councillor M Davies (Chair, P & R)

Other Members Present: Councillor K Ball

Councillor Mrs K Bickley

Councillor Dr M Ireland

Councillor Mrs C Marsh

Councillor J Stockwell

In Attendance: D Bent (Town Clerk)

261.     Apologies for Absence - There were no apologies for absence.

262.     Deferment of Business - (for comment by the public) - There were no members of the public present.

263.     Members’ Questions - There were no questions from Members regarding the workings of the Committee.

264.     Minutes - The minutes of the Property Committee meeting held on 12 September 2011 were approved and signed by the Chair on the proposition of Councillor M Davies, seconded by Councillor T Cummings.

265.     Matters Arising -

265.1   Solar Energy/Energy Civic Buildings - The Chairman reported a planning application had been submitted to the Borough for the placement of three photovoltaic panels on the roofs of the Charter Hall and the Market Hall comprising a hundred units creating approximately 20kW of energy.  He explained no decisions had been made nor quotations obtained from suppliers and further, that grant aid would be pursued through Devon Renaissance, subject to planning permission and a report from a structural engineer on the condition of the roof.  He further reported the project would be subject to building regulations.  Councillor Leech referred to government injection of £80million towards community fund and suggested this project may qualify for funding alongside the CCTV project for the town centre.  He concluded a number of options for funding, with grants and tariffs brought into the equation, would be researched and he would submit a full report for Council.

The Chairman advised of the receipt of a report from Oxenham Consult Ltd on the state of the Charter Hall/Market Hall roofs which confirmed these structures were sufficient to support solar panels; noted.

265.2   Electrical Testing - The Clerk advised a report from ETS Contractors relating to the electrics in the civic buildings had been received at 10 October.  He advised he, with the Chair, would research and report on the recommendations together with costings at the next meeting; noted.

265.3   External Painting Civic Buildings - The Committee was asked to endorse the appointment of a scaffold company to erect scaffold round the lower half of the Market Hall to complete the external painting of the Council’s civic buildings.  The cost of the operation was £1,200 + VAT (within Council Standing Orders on tenders) and on the proposition of Councillor Weekes, seconded by Councillor Mrs McDonald, it was resolved the quotation be accepted and the work undertaken by direct labour.

265.4   Charter Hall Foyer/Lower Market Hall Toilets - The Chair reported works to the foyer were completed, subject to snagging works; Members complimented the works.  It was reported B Armstrong would research drain problems from Red Lion Yard into the cinema entrance.  Councillor Leech reported the toilets works were a little delayed due to delivery of sanitary ware and water heater, but should be complete by 15 October.

265.5   Capital Works - The Town Clerk reminded Members of a number of capital works and invited action or aide-memoire at budget time to add to earmarked reserves for eventual completion of the projects.  Projects identified were: Charter Hall drainage works below floor; Charter Hall toilets conversion with cinema; air-conditioning Charter Hall, noted.

266.     Members’ Reports -

(i)         Chamber of Trade - Councillor Bickley reported on a meeting held at BVS where Christmas lights were discussed and the provision of new.  A BID discussion with 50% support of the traders to which the Council would be part.  She reported the Chair was retiring at Christmas and a new Chair was being sought.  Opportunity Okehampton was trying to attract new businesses to the town.  She concluded Okehampton Living magazine, an initiative by A Fisher was very successful for business advertising and for the town.

(ii)        Town Twinning Association - no report.  Post-meeting memo - Councillor Vachon to report at Council.

(iii)       Simmons Homes Charity - no report.

(iv)       Charities of Holditch -  the Mayor reported this charity was using Okehampton Living as an advertising vehicle inviting applicants for funding following allocation of funds to the elderly.

(v)        Museum of Dartmoor Life - no report.

(vi)       Battle of the Bands - no report.  It was agreed Councillor Mrs Smith be invited to submit a report of the meetings attended.

Meeting closed 9.17 pm.

_________________

Councillor A Leech

Chairman